ESPN FC 100: Five African players who should have made the list

The ESPN FC 100 2017 has been revealed, with five African stars featuring among the game's elite for the last 12 months.

However, while the continent has been represented, might some of Africa's top players be disappointed after being overlooked?

In this feature, we profile five of the continent's stars who, in our opinion, made a strong case for inclusion in 2017.

Jean-Michael Seri: Admittedly, Seri hasn't hit the heights yet this season, with the midfielder perhaps yet to truly get over his aborted transfer to Barcelona during the summer.

However, that the deep-lying playmaker was even on the brink of a move to the Nou Camp is testament to the remarkable impact he made in Ligue 1 last term.

Seri was one of the key protagonists in Nice's fine campaign, as they finished third in the French top flight, contributing seven goals and nine assists as Les Aiglons overcame a litany of injury problems to qualifying for the Champions League qualifiers.

Still only 26, time is on his side as he looks to bounce back from his ESPN FC 100 snub this year.

Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images

Hakim Ziyech settled well at Ajax after making the move from FC Twente, and was the heartbeat of a fine team as they reached the Europa League final and pushed Feyenoord close in the Eredivisie title race.

Few of the continent's current players can match Ziyech for technical mastery, and arguably none are capable of the quality he showed in Morocco's 6-0 demolition of Mali during World Cup qualifying.

Perhaps it will take a move to a more testing division for Ziyech to crack the ESPN FC 100, but considering his trajectory over the last 18 months, don't bet against it!

Matthias Kern/Bongarts/Getty Images

Naby Keita: Perhaps the most glaring omission from the list is Keita, who missed out despite a superb maiden Bundesliga campaign with RasenBallsport Leipzig.

The Guinea international was one of the key protagonists in the new boys' campaign, as they threatened a title challenge before upsetting the established order by securing Champions League qualification.

Keita ended the season with eight goals and seven assists in the league, earning a big-money move to Liverpool in the process. He has the potential to be Africa's outstanding talent of his generation.

John Peters/Man Utd via Getty Images

Eric Bailly: It's somewhat eye-catching that while one Ivorian defender has made the list, it's not Bailly. Instead, Aurier made the cut for the ESPN FC 100, but could a case be made for his compatriot?

The centre-back adapted to life in the Premier League seamlessly, setting the tone for a strong campaign with an excellent display against Jamie Vardy in the Community Shield.

He ended the season with Europa League and EFL Cup-winner's medals, having earned a reputation as one of the Prem's best in his position.

Admittedly, Bailly flopped at international level - both at the Nations Cup and in World Cup qualifying - but surely there's more to come from this well-rounded centre-back.

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Christian Bassogog deserved consideration for the ESPN FC 100 after his breakout display at the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon.

The wideman was a relative unknown before the tournament after spending the early years of his career in some of football's backwaters.

However, his quick footballing mind and even quicker feet struck fear into the heart of Africa's defences at the continental showpiece, and he ended the competition with the tournament's MVP award after inspiring Cameroon to the title.

The 22-year-old has also shone in China since signing for Henan Jianye, netting 10 and contributing seven assists in 24 Super League outings last term.

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